Fighting Parkinson’s in grandpa’s memory

When 13-year-old Chad Corbett's grandfather succumbed to Parkinson's disease at the start of February, he decided that he wanted to do his part to make sure that others would not have to go through what his grandfather did.

So Chad went about organizing a benefit concert for Parkinson Society Manitoba at Lincoln Middle School in Assiniboia, where he is in Grade 7.

“After my grandpa passed away, I wanted to help fight Parkinson’s,” he said. “So I thought that we could put a big concert on at school and help raise money that way.”

Chad’s efforts resulted in a show that late March show that netted close to $500 in donations for PSM.

“We had multiple groups; we had two vocal jazz groups, a dance team, a cheerleader squad, a rock band, a band made up of teachers, and the school choir,” Corbett said. “I was very impressed with what everyone did. One girl actually wrote a song for the night, and everyone did a great job.”

Shannon Corbett, Chad’s aunt, said she and the rest of Chad’s family were startled by his ability to organize such an event, particularly given the difficult time following his grandfathe’s death.

“This was something that Chad had no hesitation about, he wanted to do something to help his grandpa. I know the extra time he put in and taking the time to call everybody and the organization of it,” she said. “He was really considerate of Parkinson Society Manitoba, too, and getting their input, and speaking with them and lots of those things that people wouldn’t think about in terms of just some of the details of it. We just couldn't believe that a 13-year-old boy would have such exceptional skills.”

Chad invited Howard Koks, director of Parkinson Society Manitoba, to attend the event. Koks said that he was amazed to see Chad took the initiative to organize the event all on his own.

“I just can't say enough good things about it. It was just a tremendous event, and Chad taking that on, himself to organize, was just phenomenal,” he said.

Koks said that the money Chad raised would stay primarily here in Manitoba, used to help PSM fund research and programs to help people live with Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system that affects motor skills, speech and behaviour. There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, and it is estimated by Parkinson Society Canda that the disease affects 100, 000 Canadians.

Chad, meanwhile, said he plans to continue to support organizations like PSM, and is already planning for another fundraiser.